Elizabeth Macheka Tsvangirai, widow of the late Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, has arrived in Kenya to offer her condolences to Mama Ida Odinga and the Kenyan people following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking from Opoda Farm in Siaya County on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Ida Odinga expressed heartfelt appreciation for Elizabeth’s visit, describing it as a gesture that reflects the enduring friendship between the Odinga and Tsvangirai families. She noted that Raila and Morgan Tsvangirai shared a long-standing bond founded on their shared pursuit of democracy, justice, and freedom across Africa.
“With me is Mrs. Tsvangirai, Her Excellency Elizabeth Macheka Tsvangirai, who has arrived from Zimbabwe to mourn with me. Morgan Tsvangirai and Raila have been close for many years. We are very happy to welcome her to this village,” Ida said.
Elizabeth Tsvangirai stated that she felt compelled to be in Kenya during this moment of national mourning, honouring a man she described as “a father of democracy” whose leadership and influence transcended Kenya’s borders. She recalled the deep friendship between their families and said her visit was both personal and symbolic of the unity shared among African nations in times of grief.
“I could not think of any place to be today other than with Mama Ida Odinga. Our families have been very close. I mourn with the people of Kenya today for the loss of a great man, a father of democracy,” she said.
Her visit comes as Kenya continues to receive numerous delegations from across the continent. Leaders including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud have all travelled to Kenya to pay tribute to Raila Odinga.
Raila’s funeral programme has drawn national and international attention. His body was flown into Nairobi earlier in the week, where it lay in state at Parliament Buildings after a public viewing at Moi International Stadium, Kasarani. A state funeral service followed at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, October 17, attended by thousands of mourners and dignitaries from around the world.
The body was later moved to Kisumu and then to Mamboleo Stadium for public viewing, where thousands gathered to bid farewell. The final ceremony is set to take place at his rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, where a private family burial will be held.
